EPA Awards $860,000 to Communities to Reduce Water Pollution, Build Resilience to Climate Change;
Albuquerque mixed-use development will get help designing green infrastructure

DALLAS – (May 1, 2014) This week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the Albuquerque flood control authority is one of 14 recipients nationwide of part of $860,000 to expand the use of green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and boost resilience to the impacts of climate change. The funding is in support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which directs federal agencies to identify climate-resilient investments such as agency grants and technical assistance for communities across the country.

“Investing in green infrastructure pays off for our environment and our economy. It reduces water pollution and energy consumption. It creates jobs and boosts local economic activity,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “And these investments help local communities build resilient systems to protect from severe storms, floods, and other impacts of climate change.”

EPA’s assistance to the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority will help with the design and specifications of green infrastructure features for a new mixed-use development in downtown Albuquerque. One of the main design elements will be a rooftop vegetable garden using captured rainwater for irrigation. The garden will also be the new home of the Veteran Farmer Project, which provides therapy to veterans through gardening and urban agriculture.

In the last three years, EPA has provided $2.2 million to 37 communities for green infrastructure. This new funding continues the agency’s support for communities using green infrastructure to reduce water pollution and protect human health while increasing economic activity and neighborhood revitalization, job creation, energy savings, and open space. Green infrastructure builds resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly by reducing the burden on local water infrastructure.